Asian Cup 2015: Oman coach Paul Le Guen says Socceroos have good cover for Mile Jedinak

OMAN coach Paul Le Guen insists the Socceroos won’t be weakened by the loss of their captain Mile Jedinak for Tuesday night’s match at Stadium Australia.

Coach Paul Le Guen of Oman applauds during the first round Asian Cup football match between South Korea and Oman in Canberra on January 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MARK GRAHAM --- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERICAL USE --

OMAN coach Paul Le Guen insists the Socceroos won’t be weakened by the loss of their captain Mile Jedinak for Tuesday night’s match at Stadium Australia.

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Oman coach Paul Le Guen has plenty of respect for the Socceroos.

Oman suffered a 1-0 defeat in their first game against South Korea and are desperate to pick up points against Australia, but Le Guen concedes it will be a tough task.

Though Jedinak’s absence is a blow, coupled with the likely loss of Chris Herd who limped off the field during the Socceroos’ final training session, Le Guen believes Australia have more than enough depth to cover for them.

“I think they have a large squad and when you have such substitutes on the bench it’s not a big blow when you miss one player,” he said.

“I think they have all the subs they need to complete the team. As for us, we know that we need to get a result, but to say it is not enough. We are in a tough group with Australia, the hosts, and with South Korea, but to write it is far easier than to compete on the pitch.”

Le Guen, who was almost given the Socceroos job back in 2010, says Australia should be favourites to win the Asian Cup.

“They are supposed to play the semi-final or the final - why not win the competition? They have refreshed the team, I like their way of playing, but I will fight to try to get a result against Australia.

“We know that it will be tough, but sometimes it’s good to play a tough game in such a context.”

Omani captain and goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, who has come up against the Socceroos several times, says the team always enjoys their battles against Australia.

In the last seven encounters, the Socceroos have won three, drawn three and lost one.

“It’s more difficult for us - we lost our first game and Australia had a good first game,” Al-Habsi said.

“They are under less pressure than us, but I think we are confident we are going to have a very good game, like we did against South Korea - we were just unlucky with the result, but the performance we were happy with.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Oman coach Paul Le Guen says Socceroos have good cover for Mile Jedinak